Bulletin: Violence Shuts Down Libya’s U. of Tripoli; Dubai Aims to ‘Future Proof’ Students
Higher Education in Conflict Zones
From Libya to Yemen, Sudan, Palestine and other Arab countries, higher-education institutions face great challenges caused by political and security crises that have repeatedly closed schools and universities.
Libya faced a new chapter of this crisis this week. After violent clashes broke out between two armed groups in the capital, the University of Tripoli was forced to shut its doors. Later, it announced that studies, exams, and administrative work would remain suspended until next week.
In a troubled map, thousands of Arab youth face serious threats to their opportunities in higher education because of armed conflicts. The turmoil comes just a few weeks before Arab universities start a new academic year.
In this bulletin, Al-Fanar Media takes you on a tour of diverse news and in-depth stories about higher education and scientific research in the Arab world.
Until we meet in a new bulletin, stay safe.
Mohammad El-Hawary
Al-Fanar Media editor-in-chief
News:
Armed Violence Disrupts Studies at Libya’s University of Tripoli
Libya’s University of Tripoli in Libya announced the suspension of studies, exams, and administrative work this week after armed violence broke out between two militias in Tripoli, the capital.
The university’s Faculty of Medical Technology was about to launch a Scientific Forum for Medical Laboratory Sciences on Tuesday, before the city woke to the sound of bullets. The fighting broke out Monday night and continued into Tuesday, according to news reports. Libyan medical officials said 55 people had been killed and more than 140 wounded.
The two militias involved in this week’s fighting are among the dozens of armed groups vying for power since 2011, when the former dictator Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown and killed. The latest incident sheds light on the repercussions of security turmoil and instability on higher education in conflict zones in the Arab world, including Libya.
Dubai Aims to ‘Future Proof’ Students for Careers in High-Demand Fields
Aiming to “future proof” students for careers in a rapidly changing labour market, higher-education institutions in Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park are offering new academic programmes this year that cover advanced topics like artificial intelligence, robotics, genetics, and design.
According to a statement from the Government of Dubai’s media office, the new programmes are in line with global expectations of which jobs are likely to be most in demand over the coming decade.
“Students going to universities today face an exciting opportunity to shape the world like never before,” said Ammar Al Malik, an executive vice president with TECOM Group, the developer of Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park, along with other specialised business districts across the emirate.
He added: “The onus is on us to collaboratively and proactively equip ourselves with the knowledge and skill sets needed to navigate the way forward and build a world that serves us all.”
7 Egyptian Universities Are Ranked in the 2023 Shanghai Ranking
The ShanghaiRanking Consultancy published the 2023 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) this week, and Egypt announced that seven of its universities were included. The consultancy evaluates more than 2,500 universities each year for the classification, also known as the Shanghai Ranking, and publishes a list of the top 1,000.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education said that Cairo University was the top-rated Egyptian university, placing in a band ranked 301–400 globally. It was followed by Ain Shams University, Alexandria University and Mansoura University, all in a group ranked 601–700. Al-Azhar University was in a group ranked 701–800, Zagazig University was in the 801–900 group, and Beni-Suef University was in the 901–1,000 group.
The ranking is based on six indicators, including the number of Nobel Prize and Fields Medal laureates among a university’s alumni and staff, the number of papers published in the Nature and Science journal groups, and other metrics of research activity and academic performance.
Iraqi Minister Talks Up Benefits of Management and Economics Majors
The Iraqi minister of higher education, Naeem Al-Aboudi, is encouraging high school graduates with top grades to enrol in management and economics majors in universities.
In a speech during a ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the College of Administration and Economics at the University of Baghdad, Al-Aboudi said the ministry had started the procedures for university admission in the 2023–2024 academic year.
In calling on students to enrol in management and economics majors, he noted that these disciplines have good prospects for employment in the public and private sectors.
Jordanian Academics Discuss Campus Violence
The University of Jordan held a seminar on campus violence this week, addressing legal, psychological, social, and security aspects of the issue.
Ismail Al-Ziyoud, the dean of student affairs, moderated the seminar. According to a university statement, Al-Ziyoud said that violence on campuses is a societal issue. University students’ behaviour is shaped by their upbringing and multiple social influences, he said, which suggests that campuses are not alone responsible for the violence that takes place on them.
Other speakers noted that exaggerated media reports can contribute to violence on campuses. Majd Aldeen Khamesh, a sociology professor, said educational institutions should pay attention to troublemakers and try to redirect them toward constructive alternatives. He also called on universities to update the format of educational campaigns to make them more relevant and engaging for young people today.
Our Suggestions:
Antonine University Launches Lebanon’s First Outdoor Activities Diploma
Lebanon’s Antonine University is introducing the country’s first Mountain Guide and Outdoor Activities diploma, which it hopes will become essential for those working with the public in the country’s mountainous terrain. The one-year, master’s level diploma is offered by the university’s Faculty of Sport Sciences.
“We have just come out of three years of a global pandemic, and Lebanon is still grappling with a severe economic crisis,” said Antonio Soutou, the faculty’s dean.
“People have become more attracted to outdoor activities, as they need to take a breath of fresh air after being confined at home for a long time.
“But with more people going out in nature and engaging in outdoor activities, the risk of injuries has increased and fatal accidents happen occasionally,” he added.
To learn more, check out this article.
Education Technology:
Technology in Education Is ‘No Substitute for Human Interaction’, Says Unesco
Amid widespread use of technology in education, online teaching is “no substitute for human interaction”, Audrey Azoulay, director-general of Unesco, said last month as the organisation released its latest global report on technology in education. The 2023 Global Education Monitoring Report, titled “Technology in Education: A Tool on Whose Terms?”, urges countries to set their own standards for how technology is designed and used in education, and to ensure that it never replaces in-person, teacher-led instruction. Read more in this article.
Opinion:
Do We Need Inoculation Against Digital Addiction?
Some obsessive and excessive use of digital media can exhibit symptoms typically found in addictive behaviours. These include choosing to continue using technology despite the conflict with other life priorities; the heavy reliance on technology to change one’s mood, to escape reality and feel happier; repeated attempts to limit that reliance without success; and anxiety and stress when unable to access technology as much as one wishes.
Researchers in the Technology and Behavior Research Group (i-Solouk) at the College of Science and Engineering at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, in Doha, are studying innovative solutions to the issue that use principles from inoculation theory. Explore more about their research in this commentary.
Scholarships:
Al-Fanar Media maintains a database of quality scholarships for Arab students, which we continuously update. You can follow our website to stay up to date on the latest scholarships available in international universities. Check the Scholarships section here, and do not miss our constantly updated feedback on free learning opportunities in the News and Reports section, here.
Recent postings to our scholarship database include:
- Certificate or Diploma Courses at Lincoln University, in New Zealand
- Scholarships for Space Executive Master Degrees at Luiss Business School Amsterdam
Survey:
The Mediterranean Universities Union (UNIMED) is surveying students in Italy, Morocco and Lebanon to learn their attitudes toward climate change and migration. The results will be published in a scientific paper in a few months. The survey is part of UNIMED’s “Students Attitudes in a Changing Mediterranean” (ASMeC) Project. The survey questionnaire is available in English, French, and Italian. Students have until August 21 to take part.
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